GMS CLASS 10 AND CLASS 11 (SC & COM)

Dear Students,

We have already taken the following actions to help you continue with your studies in the last month :

• teachers blogs
• classes for class 10 boarders from the 18th August

In view of the continued agitation and the lack of assurance of when schools will be able to function normally, I have 

• once again invited all Boarders of class 10 and 11 to school. Where we shall be holding classes regularly. Mr,Salvadore, Mr.O.P.Sharma, Mr Noel Chettri, Mr.Sangam Rai, Mr.Rohit Sharma, Ms T Dolma Bhutia, Mr.Sunil Gurung, Mr.Kishore Chettri and myself will be taking classes. All subjects except 2nd language will be dealt with. I invite the Day scholars too, but theyw ill have to walk to school and come to school in school uniform. Classes will be from 9am to 3pm.
• The teachers Blogs will continue to be hosted.

This is for your information and the information of your parents.

My next study blog will be put up on Monday, 2nd.

Bro.Miranda

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 30th Aug

Dear Students, we shall be starting Ch.22 : Cone and Sphere (Surface  Area and Volume) today.

Mr.O.P.Sharma has already commenced the previous chapter, 21 : Circumference & Area of a circle with you and we need to use the information from there to proceed, so, please remember :

• the circumference (ring) of a circle is 2 x π  x radius
• the area of a circle is π  x radius x radius
• we use the π which is the Greek letter noting the constant ratio between the circumference of a circle and the diameter of a circle.
• please make sure that you have done Ch.21, ex.21 (A) as required by Mr.Sharma, before you proceed onto this matter

Today, we will work with a cylinder. Do you want to know what a cylinder is ? Take any sheet of paper and roll it. What you will get is a circular object of some length (determined by the length of the paper you have rolled). Please look at page 322 of your book to see what a cylinder looks at.

Today, we shall be working at a cylinder without taking into account the thickness of the material which makes up the cylinder (we shall do that tomorrow).

We shall first look at the surface area of a cylinder : there are two conditions for surface area

• an open ended cylinder
• a closed cylinder

An open ended cylinder has neither a lid nor a base. If we cut open this cylinder along its length we will get a rectangle. The breadth of the cylinder will be the circumference of the cylinder. Thus area of the surface of an open cylinder will be 2πr x height of the cylinder. Thus surface area of an open cylinder is 2πrh.

To find the surface area of a closed cylinder we will need to add the areas of the lid and the base. Thus to 2πrh we need to add 2πrr. Thus if we add both we get the surface area of a closed cylinder to be 2πr(h + r)

Now the last things is to find the volume of a cylinder. To do this we first need to understand the idea of a cross-section. the circular face of a cylinder will be the cross-section of the cylinder as the same area goes through the whole length of the cylinder. We will need this term later - so remember it. Thus the volume of the cylinder - a solid cylinder (presuming there is no empty space within) is the area of the circle into the length of the cylinder. this is πrrh (please excuse me - I do not know how to write r-squared in this programme !)

Now, can you attempt : Ex.22(A) : Nos 1 to 12 !

Remember, if you need any help I am just an e-mail away !

FOUNDER'S DAY 29TH AUGUST

Wishing all of you, a Very Happy Founder's Day !

May Blessed Edmund Rice bless each of you, and all you love and care for.

Just some points to help us understand today

• Who is the Founder ?
• Edmund Ignatius Rice was the person who started (founded) the Christian Brothers (not Goethals Memorial School !) in 1802 in Ireland
• So why should we, at Goethals, in 2013 celebrate this event ?
• We celebrate the life of the person who started the Congregation of Christian Brothers and thus caused the Brothers to come to India, to Kurseong to found Goethals and whose ideals still calls men to follow as Christian Brothers and thus Bro.Walsh, Bro,Edwin, Bro.Lurshai and myself are with you. Because of Edmund, you have known other Brothers to, whom I'm sure are grateful to have met : Bro.James, Bro.S D'Souza, Bro.Beddoe, to name a few.
• however, Edmund Rice has made a difference to many persons lives - the perspective of life of many of the staff members has changed because of their having met with Edmund Rice through the Christian Brothers
• hopefully, you too, have been uniquely blessed in ways only students who come to Christian Brothers schools are - that does not mean that others are not blessed - far from it - everyone is blessed in a special way through al the experiences in life - but we believe that God leads us through all events of life and has wished us to be blessed in the special way we have.
• How do we celebrate this day ?
• Generally, at Goethals we have 
• a special assembly, 
• a day of games especially for the day scholars, who otherwise do not have the same oppotunities to use the school fields
• we have some special snacks for everyone
• we all go out for a day of social work among needy people on the 30th August
• But this year, the agitation does not allow us all to gather in school, so we have to decide what to do 
• You could tell the members of your family about Founder's Day and about Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers
• You could do something specially nice to someone who is not so fortunate as you might be - experience the joy of being generous !
• pray for the Brothers and pray that many generous men may also join the Christian Brothers and help youngsters especially those in the remotest and poorest places (that was why the Brothers came to Kurseong 107 years ago !).
• smile ! spread joy !

God Bless you and, once again Happy Founder's Day !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 28th Aug

So, you seemed to have done well ! no e-mails ! I told you that you were brilliant ! Don't forget we're working for 24 100 percent and all getting over 75 percent in 2014 ! "Practice maketh Perfect !!!"

Today, we wish to do Ex 9 (B) : Nos 6, 5, 7, 8, 11

These sums involve reflection in lines other than the X-axis and Y-axis and in a point other than the Origin. However, our syllabus confines our study to lines parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis.

You will remember that the equation of the X-axis is y=0 and the equation of the Y-axis is x = 0. Why is that so ? Because, the X-axis cuts the Y-axis at the point 0 and every point of the X-axis will have the ordinate 0; in the case of the Y-axis, it cuts the X-axis at 0 and on every point on the Y-axis the abscissa will be 0.

So, looking at page 121, example 5, you will see how to reflect a point in a line parallel to either the X-axis or the Y-axis. You need to remember the same rule : that the point which is reflected at the same distance from the line as its is reflection is from the line, however, the reflected point is on the other side of the line.

With that background - set off ! start off !

You might have to check the previous day's blog regarding types of triangles and quadrilaterals and their areas.

Have you come across the words perimeter ? It means the boundary - in triangles and quadrilaterals you add the lengths of the sides to find the perimeter. The formulae for some perimeters are :

• P(square) = 4 x side
• P (rhombus) = 4 x side
• P(rectanangle) = 2 (length + breadth)

Do remember to draw your graphs and do your work very neatly !

If you have any doubt - you know what to do !!!

For Class XISc 27th Aug & XI Com 30th Aug

Let's do another two Reference to contexts today - I am sure that as you do these questions, you find out what a good way this is to really study your play ! Good News ! You'll be doing these types of assignments daily !!!!


Reference to Context No.5

Petkoff : Here already, Sergius ! Glad to see you.
Catherine : My dear Sergius !
Sergius : My dear mother, if I may call you so.
Petkoff : Mother-in-law, Sergius; mother-in-law
Catherine : You look superb. The campaign has improved you, Sergius. Everybody here is mad about you.

1.Who is Sergius ? (2)
2.Was Petkoff really glad to see Sergius ? How do you know that ? In that context what does Petkoff's saying "Here already" signify ? (2)
3.Why do you feel that Petkoff insists that Sergius call Catherine 'mother-in-law' rather than mother ? What do you feel would Catherine's opinion on this matter ? Why ? (2)
4.Catherine refers to Sergius looks. What has the dramatist told us of Sergius looks thus far ? (2)
5.What does Catherine mean by "Everyone is mad about you" ? Is everyone 'mad about' Sergius ? Name two persons who may not be 'mad' about him. Why were they not 'mad about' him ? (2)

Reference to Context No.6

Catherine : We were all wild with enthusiasm about that magnificent cavalry charge,
Sergius : Madam, it was the cradle and grave of my military reputation.
Catherine : How so ?

1.Describe Sergius 'magnificent cavalry charge' as given by Catherine to Raina in Act 1 (2)
2.Explain 'cradle' and 'grave' in reference to the use of these two words as metaphors in the quotation above. (2)
3.Explain how the cavalry charge was the 'cradle' of Sergius' reputation. (2)
4.Explain how the cavalry charge was the 'grave' of Sergius' miltary reputation. (2)
5.What decision has Sergius taken regarding his career ? Why did he take that decision ? (2)

For Class XI Sc on 26th Aug & XI Com on 29th Aug

Greetings !

I hope that you are taking the opportunity of extra time on your hands to read - your "Reader's Digest" !

Well, let's get along and do another two Reference to Context 

Reference to Context No.3

Catherine : "You are a barbarian at heart still, Paul. I hope you behaved yourself before all those Russian officers."

Petkoff : "I did my best. I took care to let them know that we have a library."

1.Why did Catherine call Paul a barbarian ? (2)
2.What other 'barbaric behaviour did Catherine admonish Paul for slightly later on ? (1)
3.What 'barbaric' behaviour did Paul accuse Catherine of during this conversation ? (1)
4.Why do you feel that the dramatist has inserted this conversation in this part of the play ? (2)
5.What traits in the personality of Catherine does this conversation display ? (2)
6. What traits of Paul Petkoff's personality does this conversation display ? (2)

Reference to Context No.4

Petkoff : You must talk to him, my dear, until Raina takes him off our hands. He bores my life out about our not promoting him. Over my head, if you please.

Catherine : He certainly ought to be promoted .......

1.Who are Petkoff and Catherine talking about ? (1)
2.Who is Raina ? How would she be able to take that person "off" their hands ? (2)
3.What does Petkoff mean by "over my head" ? (1)
4.What reasons does Catherine give to support his being promoted ? (2)
5.Why does Petkoff think he should not be promoted ? (1)
6.What does Petkoff say about that person's chance of being promoted ? (1)
7.Which other person had given a similar assessment of this person's military prowess ? What had he said on this topic ? (2)

I have particularly used some uncommon words - this is a reminder to you that you need to read and increase your vocabulary.

You also need to practice writing good grammatically correct english - and don't forget good handwriting !

All the best !

FOR GMS ICSE 27TH AUG

Today we plan to follow up on our previous days work.

We shall be doing Ex/9(B) Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Does it seem like quite a lot of work to do ? Please remember that we are doing class work and home work ! These are also the same types of sums and working at them together will help you to consolidate your learning - so kindly do them today !

Please note that you need, preferably, to work on graph paper. If you are at home and cannot go to a shop to buy graph paper because of the bandh - draw the graph using ruler and pencil.

In these sums we are

• again reflecting points in the X-axis, Y-axis and the point of Origin O (0,0), remember that when reflecting a point in the 
• X-axis, the sign of the ordinate (y coordinate changes), the abscissa remains the same.
• Y-axis, the sign of the abscissa (x-coordinate changes), the ordinate remains the same
• Origin O (0,0), the signs of both coordinates change.
• you will be asked to join some of the points you have plotted and be asked to name the triangle of quadrilateral. So let's revise this
• types of triangles 
• scalene (all the sides and angles are unequal and all angles are acute (less than 90 degrees)
• right angle triangle - a triangle in which one angle is a right angle (i.e. 90 degrees)
• an obtuse angle triangle - a triangle in which the sides and angles are unequal and one of the angles is more than 90 degrees
• an equilateral triangle - a triangle whose sides are equal and each angle is 60 degrees.
• an isosceles triangle - a triangle in which two sides are equal
• a right isosceles triangle - a right angle triangle in which the arms of the right angle are equal. The measure of the other angles are each 45 degrees
• types of quadrilaterals
• quadrilateral - a four sided figure in which all sides and angles are unequal.
• a parallelogram - a quadrilateral in which the opposite sides and opposite angles are equal and whose diagonals bisect each other.
• a square - a parallelogram in which all sides are equal and all the angles are right angles. The diagonals will be equal and bisect each other at right angles.
• a rhombus - a parallelogram in which all the sides are equal, whose diagonals bisect each other at right angles
• a rectangle - a parallelogram, in which all the anlges are right angles, The diagonals are equal to each other.
• a trapezium - a quadrilateral, one pair of whose sides are parallel 
• an isosceles trapezium - a trapezium whose non parallel sides are equal.
• you might also be asked to find the areas of the triangles or the quadrilaterals, so let's revise that :
• triangles
• area of a triangle = half x length of base x perpendicular height (to be used to finding the areas of right triangles or when you are given the base and the perpendicular height of the triangle from that base)
• area of a non right triangle the square root of s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c) where s = the sum of the sides divided by 3
• quadrilaterals
• remember that a diagonal of a quadrilateral divides the quadrilateral into two triangles and you can find the areas of the two triangles and them ad them to find the area of the quadrilateral
• area pf a square = side x side
• area of a rectangle = base x height
• area of a parallelogram - base x perpendicular height
• area of a rhombus = half the product of the diagonals
• area of a trapezium = half x (sum of parallel sides) x perpendicular height

All the best - off to work and remember that if you have any difficulty - I am only an e-mail away at broelmiranda@gmail.com

For Class XI Sc 24th Aug & XI Com 28th Aug

Dear Students, with the continuation of the agitation, the following work is for both classes : The Science class on the 24th and the Commerce class on the 28th. I shall also host work for the 26th / 29th and 27th and 30th respectively.

We shall be working at two Reference to context questions each day.

I would like to see this work written in your fair copies when we return, hopefully sometime during the coming week.

Reference to context 1

Louka : You have no spirit. I should like them saying a word against me !
Nicola (pityingly) : I should have expected more sense from you, Louka. But you're young : you're young

1.Who are Louka and Nicola ? (2)
2.Where are they, when this conversation takes place ? (2)
3.What has their conversation been about before the quoted lines ? (1)
4.What does Louka mean when she says that Nicola "has no spirit" ? (2)
5. Why does Nicola 'pity' Louka ? (1)
6.What was Louka's response to Nicola's comment on her being "young" ? What dis she mean by that response ? (2)

Reference to context 2

Catherine (outraged) : Peace !
Petkoff (appeasing her) : - but not friendly relations : remember that. They wanted to put that in; but I insisted on its being struck out. What more could I do ?

1.Who are Catherine and 'Petkoff ? (2)
2.What description of 'Petkoff' had the dramatist given shortly before of this character ? (2)
3.How was Catherine dressed ? Why ? (2)
4.Between whom had been "Peace" but "not friendly relations been agreed on ? When had this agreement been signed ? (2)
5.What answer did Catherine give to Petkoff's question : "What more could I do ?" (2)

All the best !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 24TH & 26th AUG

Dear Students,

We're going to do two steps between today and Monday in our chapter on Reflection

Step 1 : Ex. 9 (A) : Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Yesterday we did an introduction to reflection. We found the coordinates of a point under reflection in the X-axis, Y-axis and the Origin. You worked this out with the help of plotting these points and their reflections on a graph. I hope that you could also note the cooridnates of a point under reflection without drawing the graph ! (But, when in doubt, draw a rough graph and note the point - the important thing is not to make a mistake !).

In this first step for today, we are given the coordinates of the reflection of a point and we have to find the coordinates of the original point ! This is the reverse of the wok we did yesterday ! Remember that the point itself is noted by a capital letter and its reflection is that same letter with a small dash in the right hand top of the alphabet. Please use this technique so that you do not get mixed up with the point and its reflection !

So, all the best ! use graph paper or draw a graph and plot the points and find the answer !

Step 2 : Ex.9 (A) : Nos. 14, 16, 17, 18, 19

I trust that while the above work takes care and time, it is fairly straightforward. Your friends with whom I am doing this work with in school have covered this step too and are finding it smooth sailing.

In the sums for this step - we are asked either to

1. find the reflection of a point and then find the reflection of that reflection ! thus we have e.g. the point A and then A with one dash and then A with two dashes ! OR
2. you are given the reflection of a point and then you are asked to find the original point and then the reflection of that point.

So, go ahead !

Plot all the points on a graph and show the written work !

Remember, if you have any difficulty, I am just an e-mail away at broelmiranda@gmail.com !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 23rd Aug

Dear Students, today we commence study of Ch 9 : REFLECTION

For the study of this chapter, you would need to use graph paper.
Kindly remember that drawing graphs is a work of art and neatness is the key.

• pencils should be sharpened well before drawing.
• do NOT use a rubber
• follow the following conventions :
• the X-axis and Y-axis are continuous lines and should be drawn with arrow heads at the ends of the lines.
• all writing on the graph must be IN PENCIL ONLY - do not use a pan at all.
• marking of numbers on the graphs should be below the X-axis and to the left of Y-axis
• look at the sum you are about to do and then decide by looking at the greatest value of the abscissa  and the greatest value of the ordinates and then decide on the length of the axis and the scale to be used. Generally use no less than 1cm = 1 unit.

 You have most probably studied 'Reflection' in Physics. However, our general understanding of reflection tells us that when an image is reflected it will be at the same distance behind the mirror / water as the object is in front of it.

In our study we will work at reflection in the X-axis (the line y = 0 - because the value of the ordinate on all points on this line will be 0); Y-axis (the line x = 0 - because the value of the abscissa on all points on this line will be 0) and through the Origin O (0,0) - the point of intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis.

Please look at pgs.117 / 118 : 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7 and the diagrams will show you what happens when a point is reflected in the X-axis, Y-axis and the Origin, respectively.

Note that if a point A is reflected, its reflection will be denoted as A'

Please note that a point remains unchanged under reflection in the following cases :

• when a point is reflected in the axis on which it lies
• when the origin (0,0) is reflected in the Origin, the X-axis and in the Y-axis

Now let's go to Ex 9 (A). Let's do sum nos 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 first. Let us also do them graphically (i.e.draw the points and their reflection on a graph).

How will you do these sums ?

1. look at the points you have to reflect - name them A, B and C.
2. check the value of the abscissa and ordinates and see what length you will need to draw the X-axis and Y-axis e.g. in No.3 the values of the  abscissa are from -5 to + 3 - so you will draw the X-axis from -6 to +4. Since the values of the ordinates are from 0 to 4, you will draw the Y-axis from +5 to -5. Why to -5 in the Y-axis? because since the points are reflected in the X-axis the values of the ordinates in the reflect points will be the opposite of the ordinates in the original points.
3. plot point A. plot its reflection - what will its ordinates be ? The coordinates of the reflected point will be (3, -2)
4. Now do the same with the other sums
5. Check you answers (after you have tried, please !)

All the best !

Class XI Sc & Com Eng Drama 22nd - 23rd Aug

Dear Students,

Please make sure that you have worked up to page 37 in our Play Arms and the Man.

When we return to class on the 24th we shall be continuing from that part of the play !

Do well !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 22nd Aug

Ex.Today, we need to draw our attention to :

Ex.12 (C) Nos. 4, 16, 18, 21, 29 and Ex.12 (D) : Nos 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18

In all these sums we are trying to find the value of unknown elements : x, y, a, b, c and so forth.

Various mathematical operations have been used : addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Points to remember :

• a NULL or ZERO matrix is a matrix in which all elements in the matrix are 0
• an IDENTITY is a matrix is a SQUARE matrix in which all the elements excelpt the elements in the primary diagonal are 0
• In multiplication first note the order of each matrix before you need to multiply and note the order of the resultant matrix
• If you are doing the following matrix A - 2B, multiply the matrix B by 2 (i.e. each element of the matrix will be multiplied by 2) and then subtract the result from matrix A. Do not multiply each element in matrix B by -2 !

Ex.12 (C) : 17, 25,  Ex.12 (D) : 4, 6

In these sums you need to find the value of an unknown Matrix M

Points to remember :

• e.g.in Ex.12 (C) 17 (i) : 
• First we need to ask : in what order will the matrix M be if when it is multiplied with a matrix with an order 2 x 2, results in a matrix with an order 1 x 2 ? The answer is that the order of matrix M will be 1 x 2 - why ? because the resultant matrix [1  2] takes the row of the first matrix and the columns of the second matrix.
• Since M is a matrix of the order 1 x 2, then we can let it be [x   y] 
• now you proceed in multiplying matrix M and the 2 x  matrix
• then proceed to find the values of x and y as you did in the sums above.

Ex.12 (C) : 30, Ex.12 (D) : 5, 20

In these sums we find that we need to fill in the trignometircal values for certain numbers.

Before doing the sums we need to revise the values of sin, cos and tan for 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. then you carry on !

You have quite a few sums to do today ! However, in the three types of sums, there's just a slight change in the type. The main work is practice - especially when multiplying matrices. One needs to be careful !

Remember, if you have any difficulty, I am only an e-mail away !

XI Sc Eng Drama 21st to the 23rd Aug

Good day !

Today (21st), Tomorrow (22nd) and the day after tomorrow (23rd) , I want you to go back to the beginning of the test.

• Practice reading ! Now that you are familiar with the text - read it with expression ! This will help you appreciate and understand the characters better ! 
• Make notes on the side of any new insight you get into the characters or the themes of the plot of the play ! Remember that your ideas are what count ! 

All the best !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 21st August

Good day !

If you have been keeping up with the work I have been posting, we can now move onto Ex.12 (C) : 30, Ex 12 (D) 5, 20

These would require to you to first of all revise your sin, cos and tan values of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

Once you do that these sums should give you no problem ! But work them out !

All the best !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 20th Aug

Dear students,

I am working with the 12 boarders and Aniket here.

Those of you who have yet to go through the posts in Maths I have on this blog kindly do so - I shall be starting with multiplication today with the lads here - and the.n we shall continue together - so keep practising.

Just check if you have done Ex.12 (C) nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

XI Sc Eng Drama 20th Aug

Dear Students,

Today I want you to catch up with the work I have done via this blog - as when I met some of you last week you seemed not to have followed it daily ! Please do the needful.

I shall be moving head from tomorrow !

All the best !

XI Com Eng Drama 20th Aug

Hope that all of you are well !

Today we wish to do a short section - just from the time Raina enters and just to the end ofpage 37.

Since we are seeing for the first time in Act 2, could we go back to the beginning of Act 1 and revise what Shaw had said of her the ? Shaw had noted that she was "Intensively conscious of.....her own youth and beauty". This is important as Raina makes quite a dramatic entry - "posing regally", making a "Charming picture". While her father beams with parental pride and notes how she "always appears at the right moment", surprisingly, her mother finds it an "abominable habit" ! I wonder why ? What do you feel ?

Sergius is not to be outdone in behaviour which is described as chivalrous and gallant.

Later in this Act we will need to note such behaviour - behaviour which will be considered a sign of "higher love" - we will need to take note of how the protagonists feel about that type of love !

It is Catherine who brings the conversation back to where it was left off before Raina made her distracting appearance ! Paul, Sergius and herself shocked with the news that Sergius had told them he had resigned from the army ? Do you remember why ?

Note what Sergius has to say about soldiering. Paul seems to agree with him - what they say, combined with what 'The Man' had said about war in Act all help to deromanticise war.

Assignment

• check out the internet for a description of 'ecru'
• find out the meanings of the following words and make sentences of your own so as to bring out their meaning : to drape; dainty; impulsive; beaming; abominable; stooping; out of harm's way; 
• over the weekend you could write up o how Shaw has succeeded in deromanticising war in the play, thus far.

Class XI Com Eng Drama 19th Aug

Good Day ! and welcome to our next session :

As we usually, do let's go back on some of the matter we have learnt :

• Do you remember some of the characteristics of Major Sergius Saranoff ?
• Which of the above characteristics, as noted by Shaw did you find surprising ? Why ? I was quite surprised that Shaw thought that he had "an acute critical faculty" this seems to be at odds with what 'The man' though of him and what Paul Petkoff thinks of him ! So, i'll be looking out for signs of that characteristic !

We shall be reading down through pages 36-37 until Raina enters the scene.

• What does Shaw mean by noting that Petkoffs peaks "drily" ? I would feel that here he means something more like sternly rather than with no emotion ! Paul is not taking kindly to Sergius calling Catherine "Mother" ! because that would make Paul - "Father" - I don't think Paul would be too pleased to be so closely related to Sergius !
• Use the internet to find who the 'Cossacks' are; 
• What is the significance of Sergius saying "Everyone who knew me" - is there a mystery to Sergius' character which they are to discover - which we are to discover ? 
• The fact that Sergius easily charms women - by his looks and now by his heroics is clear when Catherine says : "The women are on your side; and they will see justice is done you." Why have the likes of Paul, 'The Man' and other officers in the army not seen Sergius for who he thinks he is. Is there some truth that his unconventional tactics "wounded the self-esteem" more more professional soldiers ? Is it therefore a good move on his part to move out of the army and take up a profession elsewhere ?

Assignment

• You could make sentences of your own with the following words and phrases : scrupulous; routed; etiquette; vexed; 
• This is the first we have seen of Sergius in person. What impression has he made on you ? Could you write a few lines about that ?

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 19TH AUG

Dear Students,

Today is a day for catching up on the work which I have put up so far, if you haven't gone that far.

If you have done all the work - could you practice a few more sums with just the multiplication - don't start working out the unknown elements. We could all do with practice of the multiplication of matrices. Please revert of the last two lessons I have posted in case you have any doubt - or communicate with me.

All the best !

Bro.Miranda

Continuing Learning away from School !

Dear Students,

Since it shall not be possible for you to come to school due to the continuation of the agitation in the Darjeeling District, you are encouraged to continue your studies through accessing your teachers blogs.

This will challenge you especially in your self discipline and I am sure you will rise to the occasion !

Please do keep working. Your teachers and myself are always there to be of help to you.

Let us live up to the motto of our school "Do All Things Well !"

Bro.Miranda

Class XI Com English Drama 8

We shall be taking up the reading of the text from the time Sergius announces his arrival (shouts at Nicola to open the gate (pg.34) till the end of Shaw's introduction to him (top of page 36).

Before we start going through the matter for today, let's revise what we did yesterday :

1. Catherine had said to Paul "You are a barbarian at heart still" Why did she say that to him ?
2. They have been talking about hop " civilized" people behave. Which theme in the play does this discussion take forward ? How ?

Now, let's read :

• the conversation turns to Sergius - note how different Paul's opinion of Sergius is from Cathrine's. What does that say about Sergius ? What does it say about 'The Man' - he had expressed his opinions of Srgius quite frankly to Raina ? What has it to say about Catherine and what about Raina - especially in their ability to judge people. Who is objective and who isn't ?
• What does Paul mean by "over my head" ?
• Please note again the description that Shaw gives of Sergius - the physical description and the description of character. Most of this must be learnt off very well ! It will take quite some time for you to understand this character description - please take time to chew over it !
• Byronism refers to the romanticism, melancholy and melodramatic (energetic interpersonal emotions) energy of Bryon the early 18th century Romantic poet : George Gordon, Lord Byron.
• jejune : dull, uninteresting
• Childe Harold - a character in one of Byron's poems : Childe Harold's Pilgrimage

You could not do better than translate the description which Shaw has given of Sergius character in your own words ! Please do put pen to paper !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 8

Multiplication of Matrics (continued)

I feel that we need to practice multiplication of matrices some more - remember by firend Sir Francis bacon who said "practice maketh perfect !"

So, kindly work our Ex.12 (C) : nos 3, 5, 6 and 7

Remember the steps you need to follow : so let's take sum No.6

• Can we multiply matrix A by matrix B ? Only id the columns in matrix A are equal to the rows of matrix B. A has 3 columns and B has 3 rows. Thus we can multiply matrix A by matrix B. But can we multiply matrix B by matrix A ? Let's see - matrix B has 2 columns and matrix A has 2 rows - so - yes, we can ! Can we multiply matrix A by matrix A ? let's see : matrix A has 3 columns and 2 rows !, so, can we multiply the two matrices ? NO !!!!
• Then we have to see of what order (how many rows and columns) the resultant (after multiplying) matrix is 
• AB will be a 2 x 2 matrix : why ? because it will have the rows of matrix A and the columns of matrix B
• BA will be a 3 x 3 matrix : why ? because it will have the rows of matrix B with the columns of matrix A
• Now taking the first row in matrix AB, let's find
• the left hand side element : = (0 x 0) +  (4 x -1) +  (6 x -5) = 0 + (-4) + (-30) = 0 - 4 - 30 = -34
• the right hand side element : (0 x 1) + (4 x 2) + (6 x -6) = 0 + 8 + (-36) = 0 + 8 -36 = -28
• Now taking the second row in matrix AB, let's find
• the left hand side element : (3 x 0) +  (0 x -1) + (-1 x -5) = 0 + 0 + 5 = 5
• the right hand side element : (3 x 1) + (0 x 2 ) + (-1 x -6) = 3 + 0 + 6 = 9

So, there you are ! All the best ! Day scholars, I look forward to meeting you on the 16th. Boarders, please keep following this blog and working at your maths. Let's hope that you will be able to return on the 18th evening. I'm sure that you're longing to come back ! You must be bored at home !!!!!

XI Com English Drama 7

Let's first try and recapitulate on what we read yesterday !

1. What did Paul tell Catherine about the conclusion of the war ?
2. What did Catherine say she had expected Paul (or the Bulgarians) to do at the end of the war ?

We read from the end of pg.33 to pg.35 before the entry of Sergius.

• We start with a bit of humour - actually its the second time Shaw has humored the Bulgarian's lack of cleanliness ! At the end of Act 1 Raina had said "Bulgarians of good standing wash their hands nearly every day" !!!!! He continues on the same line here.
• The humour continues with Paul humouring his wife about the airs she's assuming and the remnants of her lack of 'refinement' (e.g.hanging their washing where their neighbours could see it) while she points out the examples of his lack of 'civilisation' !

You could write a few lines on how Shaw maintains the humour of the comedy while continuing the plot of play and dealing with other significant themes.

Class XI Sc English Drama 6

Dear Students,

Please revise your poems and short stories. For a variety of reasons the Commerce section is a bit behind in what I have done with you - so we'll give you a break from drama for a few days !

But please spend time working at your english ! Remember to listen to the BBC world news an to read the Reader's Digest daily !

Bro.Miranda

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 7

Multiplication of Matrices

In this class we wish to work at multiplying two matrices. This is different from multiplying a matrix by a real number.

When can two matrices be multiplied ? Two matrices can be multiplied ONLY if the number of columns in the first matrix equals the number of rows in the second matrix. 

• Thus if A is a 2 x 3 matrix and B is a 3 x 2 matrix, we can multiply the matrices - why ? because the number of columns in A (3) is equal to the number of rows in B (3).
• But if X is a 2 x 3 matrix and Y is a 2 x 3 matrix matrix, then we cannot multiply the matrices. Why ? Because the number of columns in matrix X (3) is not equal to the number of rows (2) in matrix Y.
• Please note the matrix we get will have the number of rows of the first matrix and the number of columns of the second matrix. In this case the answer will be a 2 x 2 matrix. Please make sure you understand this.

Now please refer to page 167and page 168 : 12.13 in your text books. The multiplication of matrices is given clearly - it shows the multiplication of two 2 x 2 matrices.

• the matrices can be multiplied because the columns of the first (2) are equal to the rows of the second (2).
• How many rows and columns will the answer have ? : 2 x 2 
• How many elements does a 2 x 2 matrix have ? 4
• Therefore the number of steps will be 4
• as shown on page 167 / 168

Now let's look at Ex.12(C) 1 (iii) :

• we asked if we can multiply a 2 x 2 matrix with 2 x 1 matrix.
• Can we do so ? Yes because the number of columns of the first matrix (2) are equal to the number of rows in the second matrix (2).
• What will be the order (rows and columns) of the matrix we derive ? a 2 x 1 matrix
• How many elements are there in a 2 x 1 matrix ? 2
• Step 1 : (6 x -1) + (4 x 3) = -6 + 12 = 6
• Step 2 : (3 x -1) + (-1 x 3) = -3 + (-3) = -3 -3 = -6
• Then you write the matrix
• Do you follow the process ?
• Then please do Ex 12 (C) 1 and 2 Please remember that in 2 (iii) and (iv) I is an Identity or Unit matrix - please look at pg.160 7 to refresh your memory.

All the best !

Class XI Com English Drama 6

Arms and the Man pg 32 and 33

The last day "the soul of a servant" was the key to the interaction between Nicola and Louka. What were their different perspectives to their work ? You could read back over the last couple of pages and write a few lines - it is significant to the difference in their characters.

We now proceed to the entry of Major Paul Petkoff

• as usual any description of a character by Shaw is important. In what way might Paul be "insignificant" ? - we can't say just now whether it refers only to his physical appearance, we shall need to be alert for this.
• "a man of consequence" i.e. an important person 
• "Fever" does not refer to being unwell, but to excitement
• "plucky" refers to being bold, uncharacteristically bold !
• "pulled him through" help him to persist in the face of difficulty
• brandy and cognac (pronounced 'koniak') - alcoholic drinks - quite strong and taken in very small measure - used in very cold climates to provide some 'extra warmth' !!

Catherine's entry 

• compare what was said of her when we were first introduced to her in Act 1 (page 12) - she has obviously been caught by surprise by her husband's return - she having just finished her breakfast.
• "perfunctory" basic - only essential rather than complete
• "turkish slippers" - you could check these out on the internet - embroidered and covered slippers - house slippers.
• "under all the circumstances"  - her 'toilet' being interrupted by the announcement that her husband has returned and has called for her; her therefore having not been able to get herself prepared as she might have liked to.

Interaction between Paul and Catherine

• What does Catherine's interaction with Paul about the war tell you of her perspective of life ? Isn't this an example of the 'romantic' idea she has of war ? Remember this is an 'anti-romantic comedy' and it is such opinions of war that Shaw wishes to debunk.
• Please note the humour as Paul Paul interacts with his wife, tolerates her perspective of war, teases her.

Assignment

• study what you have been told of the character of Major Paul Petkoff
• make sentences on words and phrases you have learnt in this section : insignificant; unpolished; a person of consequence; pluck; under the circumstances; mobilize; submissive; appease; to strike out; 

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 6

Using Addition, Subtraction and multiplication of a matrix by a real number to find an unknown matrix

Today we go a step further !

Our assignment is Ex.12(B) Nos.4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11

In all these sums you are expected to find an unknown matrix.
e.g.in No.4 you have to find A. So, what will you do ? Work out the matrix as you would any equation. In sum No.4, if we give the first matrixthe name P and the one after the = sign the name Q then the equation is P + 3A = Q. Therefore 3A = Q - P : work that out (remember when subtracting one matrix from another one, subtract each element of the second matrix from the corresponding element in the first matrix. Then in order to find A, A = (Q - P) / 3 (So divide each element in the matrix (Q - P) by 3 and then you will get A !

In sum 5(i): What will you do first ? work out the value of 2A (multiplying each element in matrix A by 2) and then add it to B. You do 5(ii) in the same way as you did No.4. The same applies to sums 8, 9 and 11.

In sum No.10 we come to the matrix "I" - do you remember what an "I" matrix is ?
It is an Identity Matrix or Unit Matrix. Please refer to page 160 No.7 to revise this.
The sum refers to a matrix of the order 2 x 2 - what does this mean ? It means that the matrix has 2 rows and 2 columns. It is like the first Identity matrix on page 160. I hope that is clear to you.
Once you know the above, do the sum as you have done the others.

All the best ! If you have any problem, please send me an e-mail at brelmiranda@gmail.com

XI Sc English Drama 5

Hope that all of you are well !

Today we wish to do a short section - just from the time Raina enters and just to the end of page 37.

Since we are seeing for the first time in Act 2, could we go back to the beginning of Act 1 and revise what Shaw had said of her the ? Shaw had noted that she was "Intensively conscious of.....her own youth and beauty". This is important as Raina makes quite a dramatic entry - "posing regally", making a "Charming picture". While her father beams with parental pride and notes how she "always appears at the right moment", surprisingly, her mother finds it an "abominable habit" ! I wonder why ? What do you feel ?

Sergius is not to be outdone in behaviour which is described as chivalrous and gallant.

Later in this Act we will need to note such behaviour - behaviour which will be considered a sign of "higher love" - we will need to take note of how the protagonists feel about that type of love !

It is Catherine who brings the conversation back to where it was left off before Raina made her distracting appearance ! Paul, Sergius and herself shocked with the news that Sergius had told them he had resigned from the army ? Do you remember why ?

Note what Sergius has to say about soldiering. Paul seems to agree with him - what they say, combined with what 'The Man' had said about war in Act all help to deromanticise war.

Assignment

• check out the internet for a description of 'ecru'
• find out the meanings of the following words and make sentences of your own so as to bring out their meaning : to drape; dainty; impulsive; beaming; abominable; stooping; out of harm's way; 
• over the weekend you could write up o how Shaw has succeeded in deromanticising war in the play, thus far.

Have a good weekend !

Class XI Com English Drama 5

Welcome to this study !

Before you proceed, it would be beneficial for you to try and remember the description we had been given of Nicola, both of his physical appearance and of his character. I feel that we need to keep in mind the following characteristics : his "keen intelligence" and that he is an "accurate calculator who has no illusions". If we forget that we will only be focusing on a part of his character.

We're going to take the section from the beginning of the interaction in Act 2 till just before the entry of Major Paul Petkoff : pages : 30 tp 32.

We are focusing on the conversation between Nicola and Louka. Remembering that Nicola has been "lecturing" Louka and she is not at all pleased with Nicola's opinions - she has "turned her back with angry disdain" on him !

• Nicola speaks well of Catherine "she is so grand" but he also warns Louka that she is decisive and would take immediate action if she sensed insubordination of any kind.
• We realise that Nicola and Louka are also considering marriage : and we wonder whether these two are the right match for each other. It's like what is happening in the main plot with Raina-Sergius and 'The Man' is reflected in the sub plot of Nicola and Louka.
• While Louka feels that Nicola has "no spirit" in him, He feels that Louka is behaving senselessly. What do we feel ? I feel that while Louka is a spirited individual and I admire her for defying the attitude that one need to have the "soul of a servant", I feel that Nicola is realistic ("accurate calculator"), no wishing t be a servant all his life - he wants to set up his own shop - and is shrewdly creating a clientele of wealthy people who will ensure the success of his business venture. Louka, who does not think about the necessity of providing for her future, seems rather romantic.
• Another important point of the conversation is that both Nicola and Louka are aware of Raina's and Catherine's secret - they having saved the enemy soldier !
• you might look up the internet and see what a "leva" looked like - since the Euro became the currency, the leva is no more in use.

Assignment
You could write a few lines of Nicola's character - what we see of his character through this short conversation.

All the best to you !

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 5

Addition & Subtraction of Matrices and multiplication of matrices by real numbers.

Today, we'll be combining three operations we have learnt over the last few days i.e. addition and subtraction of matrices and multiplication of matrices by real numbers.

Attempt Ex.12(B), nos.2, 6, 3, 7 in that order.
In sums 2 and 6 you're given equations involving matrices [like you did in Ex.12(A)]. You're required to multiply the given matrices by real numbers given outside the matrix bracket. Then you add or subtract the matrices as indicated. then solve to find the values of x, y, and z

In sums 3 and 7 you have been given a equation using the names of the matrices. You are required to multiply the particular matrix by the real number given.

As you go through those sums, if you have any problem, please feel free to send me an e-mail at broelmiranda@gmail.com.

All the best !

Class XI Sc English Drama 4

Good Day ! and welcome to our next session :

As we usually, do let's go back on some of the matter we have learnt :

• Do you remember some of the characteristics of Major Sergius Saranoff ?
• Which of the above characteristics, as noted by Shaw did you find surprising ? Why ? I was quite surprised that Shaw thought that he had "an acute critical faculty" this seems to be at odds with what 'The man' though of him and what Paul Petkoff thinks of him ! So, i'll be looking out for signs of that characteristic !

We shall be reading down through pages 36-37 until Raina enters the scene.

• What does Shaw mean by noting that Petkoffs peaks "drily" ? I would feel that here he means something more like sternly rather than with no emotion ! Paul is not taking kindly to Sergius calling Catherine "Mother" ! because that would make Paul - "Father" - I don't think Paul would be too pleased to be so closely related to Sergius !
• Use the internet to find who the 'Cossacks' are; 
• What is the significance of Sergius saying "Everyone who knew me" - is there a mystery to Sergius' character which they are to discover - which we are to discover ? 
• The fact that Sergius easily charms women - by his looks and now by his heroics is clear when Catherine says : "The women are on your side; and they will see justice is done you." Why have the likes of Paul, 'The Man' and other officers in the army not seen Sergius for who he thinks he is. Is there some truth that his unconventional tactics "wounded the self-esteem" more more professional soldiers ? Is it therefore a good move on his part to move out of the army and take up a profession elsewhere ?

Assignment

• You could make sentences of your own with the following words and phrases : scrupulous; routed; etiquette; vexed; 
• This is the first we have seen of Sergius in person. What impression has he made on you ? Could you write a few lines about that ?

Class XI Com English Drama 4

Greetings !

Today we wish to go through the the two introductory paragraphs of Act 2 of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man

Before we do that, let's think back on Act 1

• In which month and in which year was did Act 1 take place ?
• Where was the scene located ?
• Where were we told that the Petkoff's house was located ?
• Which characters did we meet in Act 1 ?
• What has been the action of the play so far ? 
• Which themes has the play dealt with thus far ?

We now read through the first introductory paragraph of Act 2

• Shaw first informs us that four to five months have passed since the events in Act 1
• We are also told that we are still at the Petkoff's home, but we have moved Raina's room to the garden.
• We look at the view - Shaw has a very keen artist's sense - he describes the scene in detail - why ? - do remember that when putting up a play, one has to prepare the backdrop of the scene and arrange the 'properties' - I hope you remember those words from when we begun the play.
• meanings : you will find many of the meanings in the dictionary, but you are encouraged to visualise the scene and certain elements, you may want to use your internet to help you visualise some of them e.g.
• paling : a picket fence - made of strips of wood and low size 
• Turkish coffee pot : a coffee pot with a long straight handle
• meanings : 
• the Balkan mountains rise and shut in the landscape : shut in : block out further view
• a flight of steps : mind the collective noun : flight - for many steps
• stable yard : yard : an open space
• washing : clothes which have been washed
• table...laid for breakfast : laid : set, arranged

We now read the second introductory paragraph which describes Nicola

• You might wish to use the internet again to help you visualise : Bulgarian costume, knickerbocker, gaiters
• meanings : 
• lecturing : advising in a corrective manner at some length.
• cool temperament : not generally moved to strong emotions or the show of them.
• keen intelligence : keen : alert
• calculator : a person who carefully judges what advantage he gains from any event

Assignment 

1. You would need to learn the description of Nicola.
2. I suggest that you check the meanings of the following words and then makes sentences of your own with them: encroaches; disdain; temperament; complacency; imperturbable; illusion;

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 4

Transposing a Matrix, Additive Inverse of a matrix, multiplying a matrix by a real number (scalar).

I haven't received an question regarding yesterday's work, so I presume that you followed everything well and were able to do the sums without any trouble. If you do have a question, please do ask - it will help you and help me teach you better ! Let's move ahead

Transposing a matrix

Transposing a matrix means changing its rows into columns. Please refer to page 160, 12.5 where you are shown how to transpose a matrix and how to denote the new matrix

Please do Ex.12 (A) sum no.8 (i) and (ii).

The Additive Inverse of a matrix

The additive inverse of a matrix is that matrix which if it is added to the original matrix will give us a Zero or Null matrix (a matrix with all the elements 0). Thus if an element of a matrix is 2, the corresponding element in the additive inverse matrix will be -2, so when we add 2 and -2 we get 0.

If a matrix is named as A the name of the additive inverse of that matrix is -A

Please refer to pg.164, 12.10 if you find the above explanation insufficient.

Please do Ex.12(A sum no.9

Multiplication of a matrix by a real number (scalar)

If I wish to multiply a matrix A with a real number (any number which can be marked on a number line), say 6, then I can write it as 6A and I will need to multiply each element in the matrix by 6.

Please refer to page 165, 12.12 if you need further explanation.

Please do Ex.12(B) no.1(i), (ii), (iii), (iv).

Bless you !

Class XI Sc English Drama 3

Hello ! I shall posting study material for English until Ms.M.C Singh gets her blog on the road - she has created her blog and she shall be posting lessons shortly. After that we shall post our study blogs every alternate days. That's to give you the opportunity to study the other subjects !

We shall be taking up the reading of the text from the time Sergius announces his arrival (shouts at Nicola to open the gate (pg.34) till the end of Shaw's introduction to him (top of page 36).

Before we start going through the matter for today, let's revise what we did yesterday :

1. Catherine had said to Paul "You are a barbarian at heart still" Why did she say that to him ?
2. They have been talking about hop " civilized" people behave. Which theme in the play does this discussion take forward ? How ?

Now, let's read :

• the conversation turns to Sergius - note how different Paul's opinion of Sergius is from Cathrine's. What does that say about Sergius ? What does it say about 'The Man' - he had expressed his opinions of Srgius quite frankly to Raina ? What has it to say about Catherine and what about Raina - especially in their ability to judge people. Who is objective and who isn't ?
• What does Paul mean by "over my head" ?
• Please note again the description that Shaw gives of Sergius - the physical description and the description of character. Most of this must be learnt off very well ! It will take quite some time for you to understand this character description - please take time to chew over it !
• Byronism refers to the romanticism, melancholy and melodramatic (energetic interpersonal emotions) energy of Bryon the early 18th century Romantic poet : George Gordon, Lord Byron.
• jejune : dull, uninteresting
• Childe Harold - a character in one of Byron's poems : Childe Harold's Pilgrimage

You could not do better than translate the description which Shaw has given of Sergius character in your own words ! Please do put pen to paper !

Class XI Com English Drama 3

Good day ! I hope that your study has been progressing well !

Please inform your class mates that we have these blogs up on the internet and that it will be a good help in keeping up with their studies.

Today we're completing Act 1 ! It has taken us some time but we are getting there !

First, let's go back on what we covered the last day :

1. Can you list the various bits of information Raina gave us about her family and her home ? 
2. What do you think about the responses of 'The Man' to Raina's boasts ? Did his comments really show that he was truly impressed ? I don't believe that they do. I believe that Shaw is criticizing such  pretensions - remember from Shaw's socialist background he would not believe in that type of upward mobility !
3. What did we learn about 'The Man's' background - we need to keep that in mind - it will have an impact on the outcome of the plot.

Let us read on from from the time 'The Man' kisses Raina's hand to the end of the Act.

• Why did the Man kiss her hand rather than shake it ? (Remember than in western society the kissing of the hand is a show of respect).
• What does "The Man' asking Raina to inform her mother of his presence tell us about his character ?
• Why does Raina go out of the room "reluctantly" ?
• Why does Raina seem not to want 'The Man' to fall asleep ?
• Why was Catherine 'scandalised' when she saw 'The Man' ?
• Why does Catherine refer to 'The Man' as a 'brute' ?
• Why is Raina's calling 'The Man' a "poor darling" significant to the play ?
• We are told that Catherine 'looks at her daughter' what is the significance of that look ?
• Please find the meanings of the following words and phrases and make sentences of your own. This will help you to build your vocabulary : articulately; severely; trail off; intently; blissful; sinks back; brute; vehemently; worn out

Even though this a very short section, it is very important. Many of the questions I have asked you above are important for you understanding of what is happening. Please attempt to write your answers to those questions. Thank you !

Please work out a programme for your study every day - please learn al the subjects.

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 3

Addition and Subtraction of Matrices (continued) and Equality of Matrices

How did you work go yesterday ? If you have any questions for me, either comment on the blog (only possible if you have a g-mail account) or send me an e-mail at brelmiranda@gmail.com

Someone checked with me as to whether we can work out sum 6(iii) - why can we not ? because one can only add or subtract matrices which are of he same order i.e. those which have the same number of rows and columns. The first matrix of 6(iii) is 2 x 3 matrix and the second is a 2 x 2 matrix - thus they are not of he same order and thus the addition cannot be worked out.

Today we would like to tackle the question of finding the value of an unknown element in a matrix.You should attempt Ex 12 (A) nos.2, 3 and 7

To find how to do this type of sum please go to  pg.160 12.6 and example 1

• Note that if two matrices are equal, their corresponding elements are equal.
• Thus x - 2 = 0, therefore x = 2 and b + 1 = 5 so b = 5 - 1 = 4 and so on.

In sum no.7 you will do the subtraction or addition and then find the values of x and y.

All the best !

Class XI Sc English Drama 2

Let's first try and recapitulate on what we read yesterday !

1. What did Paul tell Catherine about the conclusion of the war ?
2. What did Catherine say she had expected Paul (or the Bulgarians) to do at the end of the war ?

We read from the end of pg.33 to pg.34 before the entry of Sergius.

• We start with a bit of humour - actually its the second time Shaw has humored the Bulgarian's lack of cleanliness ! At the end of Act 1 Raina had said "Bulgarians of good standing wash their hands nearly every day" !!!!! He continues on the same line here.
• The humour continues with Paul humouring his wife about the airs she's assuming and the remnants of her lack of 'refinement' (e.g.hanging their washing where their neighbours could see it) while she points out the examples of his lack of 'civilisation' !

You could write a few lines on how Shaw maintains the humour of the comedy while continuing the plot of play and dealing with other significant themes.

Class XI Com English Drama 2

I hope that you are enjoying this drama !

before reading through pg26 to the end of the first half of pg28, go through, in your mind what you read the last time. Some questions you might ask yourself are :

1. What type of a soldier did Raina say the 'The Man' was ? 
2. Remember that she also said that he was "a very poor soldier" Why did she think him so ?
3. What description have we heard of 'The Man's' fatigue ?
4. What do you think is the significance of Raina's plea "How can you be so indifferent" ? What did she think he was indifferent to ?
5. What do you think is the significance of Raina saying "I'll save you......You want me to save you, don't you ?"

Now read through page 26 to 28

Please note that all the interaction works towards the portrayal of the building of a relationship between these two which will, in the last act, lead to them being betrothed to each other.

Note to the humour "A pet what ?" 

Raina is attempting to justify her decision to save 'The Man'. Her justification is that the Petkoff's especially Catherine and herself are moved by ideals which lesser mortals are not - one of which is that they never turn away a person who seeks their assistance - no matter who that person is !

Raina does brag about their status and their home - which by Bulgarian standards is very high. The irony is that she does not realise that she is talking to a person who, himself is a man of means (as we shall hear of later in the play) - however, we do learn something of his background too.

You could make sentences of your own on the following after understanding their meanings in the context : mechanically; to gain fast on; to address someone; to be patronizing; notion; hospitable; pledge; reassure; dubiously; delicacy; 

You might write a few lines of Romantic notions of hospitality.

FOR GMS ICSE 2014 2

Addition and Subtraction of Matrices.

Please Note that only matrices which are of the same order (the same number of rows and columns) can be added or subtracted. You might go through the exercises and practice noting of which order they are in - remember that the number of rows are mentioned first and then the number of columns.

To ADD, each element of the first matrix is added to the corresponding element of the other.

To SUBTRACT, each element of the second matrix is subtracted from the corresponding element of the first matrix.

Please do : Ex 12(A) : 6, 4. 5, 10 and 11 (Please do the sums in the order I have given - you will probably find it easier than going in chronological order).

Please contact me if you have any difficulty.

Enjoy Maths !

XI SC English Drama 1

Dear Students,

I suggest that that we move ahead with the study of our play Arms and the Man in the following manner :

1. We shall read a page a day.
2. I shall post comments on the page and suggested follow-up work
3. You are invited to keep up with the work
4. Kindly keep me informed through your comments of anything you wish to ask me.

So,

• Read down through Act 2 page 33, from the moment Catherine enters
• We remember that the Act began with the entry of the two 'servants' Nicola and Louka. Then Major Paul Petkoff, the 'man of the house' entered. He had asked that his wife and daughter be told of his arrival.
• Certain words which you might want to find the meaning of : perfunctory, appeasing, relenting, annex, mobilize - you are urged to make sentences of your own with these words in order to facilitate them entering your vocabulary.
• Look up "Turkish slippers' on the internet - covered, embroidered slip on footwear generally for home use.
• "under all the circumstances" - what would those circumstances be ? Could it be that her 'toilet' had been interrupted and she had come out to meet her husband in haste and thus unable t get herself 'as she might want to - do you remember how we were told she dressed even at home - the introduction to her in the first Act - look it up again to remind yourself - you could be asked in a reference to context.
• Humour : Paul : "My dear they didn't consult me !"; "But....I missed you greatly."
• What does Catherine's interaction with Paul about the war tell you of her perspective of life ? Isn't this an example of the 'romantic' idea she has of war ? Remember this is an 'anti-romantic comedy' and it is such opinions of war that Shaw wishes to debunk.
• Write a few sentences of what you have learnt of Paul and Catherine from this interaction.

Class XI Com English Drama 1

Dear Students,

I suggest that that we move ahead with the study of our play Arms and the Man in the following manner :

1. We shall read a page a day.
2. I shall post comments on the page and suggested follow-up work
3. You are invited to keep up with the work
4. Kindly keep me informed through your comments of anything you wish to ask me.

So,

• Read down through page 25
• Remember what went before Raina has been offended with The Man's comments about her fiance. She has asked him to leave her room and house. The Man quite astonishingly seems petrified of doing so  - is he afraid of heights ? Is he afraid of facing the enemy ? Is he just putting on a pitiful performance knowing that Raina will 'melt' having gauged her well ?  What do you feel ?
• Words you need know the meaning of in the context : disarmed, catching the rhythm of his weariness, at her wit's end, roused. Could you make sentences of your own with these words and phrases ?
• My comments on the action :
• note the humour : "Climbing down the pipe means doing something - exerting myself - thinking ! Death times over first."
• Whatever his fatigue he has heard her calling him a "chocolate cream soldier" and uses that for effect - makes us wonder - is he really that tired ? Someone that tired would hardly be that alert !
• The Man gets the response from Raina which he wanted ! She "clings" to him, promising to save him !
• Howvere, Raina too see through 'The Man' she tells him "You want me to save you, don't you ?" It seems to me that they might have some inkling of the other's feeling for them - but they are still testing out the waters of their relationship. What do you think ?
• Write a paragraph giving your comments on the action / characters in this short episode.

FOR GMS ICSE 2014

Dear Lads,

Over the next few days, I shall be helping you to go through Maths : Matrices. The introduction, as given in our book on page 158 seems quite good.  You do not have to go through the whole introduction. Just go through up to 12.6. (i.e.pages 158 to 160).

Do you have any doubts of what you've read ? If so, please note the doubt in the coments on this page or send your question to me by e-mail.

Bro.Miranda

Introduction

Dear Students,

This blog has been opened to keep in contact with you during the bandh days.

Through this blog, I wish to continue your classes - you can continue your education from home ! It would be better to have you here - but in the circumstances we have no better option.

Please free to contact me through broelmiranda@gmail.com or goethalsmemorial@gmail.com

Bro.Miranda